Ergonomic finger grip enhancers for mounting on firearms, sporting implements or hand tools

ABSTRACT

A finger grip enhancer for mounting on a selected location on firearms, hand tools and other items having handles or grips for providing an improved finger gripping surface. The grip enhancer can comprise flexible or rigid materials having a high coefficient of friction for an improved gripping surface. The grip enhancer includes a finger grip body, having a top, a bottom and a back surface. The back surface is preferably adapted for receiving an adhesive thereon and attaching the grip enhancer on the selected location on the firearm or the hand tool The finger grip body also includes an ergonomic shaped front finger surface having a top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a lower knob portion. The lower knob portion is adapted for receiving a portion of the bottom of a finger and the top of an adjacent finger of the user and preventing slippage thereon.

REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on a provisional patent applicationfiled on May 17, 2001 having Serial No. 60/291,693 by the subjectinventor and having a title of “GRIP ENHANCEMENT FOR TOOLS OR FIREARMS”.A related application by the same inventor, AJL-2, based upon aprovisional application also filed on May 17, 2001, U.S. Ser. No.60/292,274, is directed to “LIGHT GUIDES FOR TOOLS OR FIREARMS”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] (A) Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to an improved finger grip used with alltypes of firearms, sporting implements, hand tools and the like and moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to an ergonomically designedfinger grip enhancer for mounting on a firearm or a hand tool forimproved grip and for helping prevent slippage on the item.

[0004] (B) Discussion of Relevant Art

[0005] It is well known to provide hand grips on the handles of varioustypes of tools and implements to obtain a comfortable feel as well as toreduce or eliminate the torsional movement between the handle and thehand of the user. Hand grips such as the types used on power tools orbicycle handle bars are often contoured according to the finger surfacesto aid the user or rider in maintaining a firm grip.

[0006] In the United States, there are a number of manufacturers makinghandgun extensions, grip enhancers, rubber grips and like accessoriesfor firearms. Also the prior art grip enhancers can include one or morefinger swells between gripping fingers. Further, gunsmiths can improve agun owner's grip by roughening the gripping surface, along with addingbulky stocks or by providing finger swells by expensive welding withrefinishing.

[0007] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,181 discloses “auxiliary toolhandles” for removable, adjustable attachment to cylindrical toolhandles such as used for garden rakes, hoes and the like. The auxiliaryhandles comprise at least one curvilinear handle segment, which can beattached to the tool handle by slidable sleeves. The auxiliary handlescan be installed substantially perpendicular to the straight toolhandle. This patent also discusses the forces and fatigue factorsinvolved in using various types of hand tools.

[0008] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,785,495 and 5,155,878 to Dellis disclosemoldable hand grips for use with cycle handlebars, tools, guns and thelike which can be custom molded to fit the contours of a particularuser's hand. The grips can include special surface properties forcomfort and adhesive and resilient inner layers for enhanced function.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,920 discloses a “power grip insert” which isattachable to either a handled instrument or a user's hand, with oneside contoured to accommodate the handle shank to be gripped and anopposing side contoured in accordance with the musculature of the palmof the user's hand. The insert can be permanently attached to a glovefor use with golf clubs. This patent provides an extensive discussion ofthe anatomy of the hand and the need to adapt the grips of varioushandled instruments to minimize stress and fatigue in use.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,381 discloses a “universal thin walled fingergroove adapter” for handguns, comprising a thin ductile metalreinforcing plate encapsulated with thin front and back layers ofelastomeric material. At least one finger groove projection is providedon the front surface of the adapter. The adapter is molded in a flatcondition, may be trimmed in that configuration to a variety of shapesfor mounting on various different handgun handles, and is deformed intothe appropriate shape for mounting to the handgun by the user. Theadapters are said to be well suited for handgun users with small hands.This patent discusses grip factors important to the effective use offirearms.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,279 discloses an ergonomically deformablegrip for firearms, which is made of elastomeric material to obtain abasic contour at the front of the grip through a series of flexibleprojections formed from the material. The projections can be similar tothin ribs separated from each other by narrow spaces, over which thefingers of the user's hands support themselves. This patent discussesprior art handgun grips and their shortcomings. The deformable gripsdisclosed therein seem suitable for accommodating hands with fingers ofvarious sizes. However, it would appear to do this without providing thebenefit of a stronger grasp, since the ribs would have to be tooflexible to provide adequate support from the upper and lower surfacesof the fingers. Thus, resistance in a vertical plane, as during gunrecoil or hitting the holster during the draw, would probably not besubstantially improved.

[0012] Despite the numerous patents in this field, there remains a needfor simple, inexpensive devices which can be used to improve the user'sgrasp upon the grips of hand tools in general, and firearms inparticular. For example, the rubberized sleeves fitted with fingergrooves for handgun grips have a detrimental effect on the esthetics ofthe firearm, since they cover parts of the grip which are normally madeof wood. Such sleeves thicken the handgrip area, making it harden toconceal when holstered. Such sleeves can also make repositioning of thegrip hand difficult during the draw, if a less than ideal position wasobtained in the holster. In contrast, the devices of the presentinvention have the benefit of properly positioning the fingers as thegun is grasped in the holster. Since the rotation of the gun upwardduring the draw before the barrel has cleared the holster can result inthe weapon falling to the ground, the present invention reduces thisrisk by providing a stronger grasp, especially in the plane of such aforce as hitting the holster. Many prior art devices such as the sleevesdescribed above are model specific, thus requiring gun stores andmanufacturers to maintain large inventories of devices to fit numerousgun models.

[0013] None of the above mentioned prior art firearm grip enhancersprovide the unique structure, function, objects and advantages of thepresent invention as described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the inventionto provide a finger grip enhancer made of flexible or resilient highfriction material or rigid high friction material, which conforms easilyto the grasping fingers to improve control of a firearm, hand tool orthe like. The high friction material may be plastic, metal or othersuitable materials.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a finger gripenhancer that is inexpensive and can be quickly and easily attachedusing adhesive or other suitable attachment means to a selected locationon various handguns, firearms, tools and the like for increased grip.

[0016] Still another object of the invention is to provide a pluralityof finger grip enhancers for receiving two or more fingers thereon forimproved gripping on a handgun grip or tool handle.

[0017] The present invention provides finger grip enhancers of variousconfigurations which can be installed singly or in combination upon thehandles or handgrips of various tools, sporting implements, mobilityaids and firearms to provide ergonomically enhanced grips. The fingergrip enhancer includes a finger grip body having a top, a bottom and aflat or curved (concave) back surface. The back surface is preferablyadapted for receiving an adhesive and attaching the grip enhancer onto aselected location on the firearm or a grip of a hand tool. The gripenhancer is made of or comprises a flexible, resilient or rigidmaterial, preferably having a high coefficient of friction for animproved gripping surface. The finger grip body also includes anergonomic shaped front finger surface. The front finger surface includesa top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a lower knobportion. The lower knob portion is designed to rest against the bottomof a finger and prevent slippage thereon.

[0018] The grip enhancers of the present invention provide nearlyuniversal means for improving the physical interface between the humanhand and the grips, handles and the like for most hand-held tools,weapons and the like. The improvements are provided by a more securegrasp of the handles or grips through an increase in hand-grip contactarea, together with reduction in the stress and fatigue caused by theexertion required to maintain the grasp through hand strength only. Mostcommon grip designs for tools and the like provide a secure grasp onlythrough friction with the hand, which increases with grip force. Thus,extended use or adverse conditions such as dampness or cold tend toinduce fatigue, tremor or loss of grip in the user. The grip enhancersof the present invention function by nearly matching the grip surface ofthe tool or firearm to the shape and size of the user's hand.

[0019] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those familiar with various types of handgripaccessories for firearms, tools and the like when reviewing thefollowing detailed description, showing the contemplated novelconstruction, combination, and elements as herein described, and moreparticularly defined by the appended claims and drawings, it beingunderstood that changes in the precise embodiments to the disclosedinvention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of theclaims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.Numerals are employed to identify corresponding or similar components inthe figures and the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred embodiments ofthe present invention according to the best modes presently devised forthe practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a handgun having the subjectfinger grip enhancers mounted on the front of a trigger guard and on thefront of the handgun's grip.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a finger grip enhancer havinga flat back surface used for securing the enhancer to a portion of thehandgun or hand tool.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the finger grip enhancershown in FIG. 2.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of another finger grip enhancerhaving a concavely curved back surface contoured for securing the gripenhancer to the handgun or hand tool.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the finger grip enhancershown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The following description concerns finger grip enhancers designedfor handgun grips, which are exemplary rather than limiting of theinvention. The finger grip enhancers of the invention can be designedand installed on the handles, grips or stocks of a wide variety of handtools (e.g., garden tools such as rakes, hoes and shovels and carpentrytools such as hammers, saws and axes), power tools with pistol gripssuch as hand drills and saws, sporting implements (e.g., baseball bats,hockey or lacrosse sticks and the like), firearms such as pistols(revolvers and “automatics” containing a magazine within the handle),various long-barreled guns such as rifles and shotguns, and otherprojector devices such as crossbows, archery bows, paintball guns,squirt guns, underwater spearguns and the like. The long-barreled gunscan have conventional stocks or pistol grips comparable to those used onpistols. The grip enhancers can also be used on the grips of variousmobility aids such as canes, walking sticks, crutches and thehandlegrips of wheelchairs pushed by attendants. When pulling a loadedwheelchair backwards up an incline or stairway, it is imperative thatthe attendant maintain a secure grip. The grip enhancers can havevarious suitable sizes, shapes and configurations, depending upon theshape and size of the grips which are to be enhanced, the type of toolor firearm involved, and the size of the user's hands, to mention someprincipal factors. The grip enhancers will all generally have thefeatures or components disclosed and claimed below, however. The gripenhancers can be produced in assortments of shapes and sizes which canbe selected for use on a variety of tools, weapons and the like.Although described and illustrated herein primarily as “finger” gripenhancers, the devices of the invention can be designed or modified tosupport or enhance the grip of other portions of the hand as well. Thus,the devices can be attached to the grip, handle, frame (includingtrigger guards and the like), gripping surfaces or stock of a firearm,for example.

[0027] Although these devices are generally symmetric and areillustrated and described for use with the right hand, finger gripenhancers which may be asymmetric can also be constructed for use withleft hand grips, generally by producing mirror images of the embodimentsshown herein. Certain terminology will be used in the followingdescription for convenience in reference only and should not beconsidered limiting. The words “up”, “down”, “right” and “left” willdesignate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “front” and “rear” will refer, respectively, to the muzzle end ofa firearm and the opposite end therefrom. The words “top” and “bottom”will refer to the portions of the components of the invention and theimplements upon which they are employed which are shown as uppermost orlower in the drawings, and which are normally uppermost or lower whenused in the normal terrestrial frame of reference in which the “top” orupper surface is the side opposite the gravitational force.

[0028] The grip enhancers of the present invention, whether used singlyor in combination, are designed and installed to have ergonomic effectsupon the tool grips. “Ergonomic” devices are generally expected to besafer and/or more efficient when operated by humans. In particular, thepresent grip enhancers are expected to make the user's grip upon thetool or firearm to which they are applied more stable and secure,without allowing the hand(s) to tire excessively. See U.S. Pat. No.4,930,181, which is incorporated herein by reference, for descriptionsof two ways in which the human hand can grasp a tool grip and theeffects of fatigue when non-ergonomic grips are used.

[0029] The grip enhancers of the present invention can be installed andmodified to fit not only the fingers, which provides support from thefinger structure of bones and flesh in the areas between the fingers,but can also be useful in providing a more comfortable, stronger andless strenuous grasp for the other areas of the hand. The web of thehand can be protected from the impact of the handgun slide or hammer byplacing a grip enhancer below the hammer or slide on the back strap. Thedevices can also be useful when affixed to the bottom rear surface ofthe grip safety of military-style Colt M1911A1 semiautomatic pistols.Many users have difficulty actuating this safety because their hands arenot sufficiently bulky to depress the lever; the devices of the presentinvention can add sufficient bulk, as is done with custom grip safetieswhich add a bump of metal to this location.

[0030] The grip enhancers of the present invention can also be installedor modified for use in improving contact with the shooter's palm whenapplied to the side grip panel areas of a handgun. Such effects arecurrently accomplished by using custom oversized grips, which often haveto be fitted to the hand using woodworking tools. The grip enhancers ofthe invention, particularly when molded of soft plastic materials, canbe easily trimmed and shaped using commonly available implements such asknives and files. The grip enhancers of the invention can also be usedas finger rests by installation with the knob portion in a substantiallyhorizontal position to provide both positioning and support for thetrigger finger or thumb. Such use can be especially useful on revolversto prevent the cylinder release from striking the thumb in recoil. Alsowith revolvers, modified versions of the grip enhancers can be used toprovide more positive actuation of the hammer to a single actionposition by thumb cocking; slippage of the thumb off the hammer duringthumb cocking can cause an accidental discharge of the gun.

[0031] Turning now to the drawings, in FIG. 1, a perspective view of aplurality of the subject finger grip enhancers is shown, the gripenhancers having general reference numeral 10. One of the grip enhancers10 is mounted on the front of a trigger guard 12 of a handgun 14. Also,a pair of grip enhancers 10 are shown mounted on the front and along thelength of a grip 16 of the handgun 14. Clearly, any number of gripenhancers 10 can be used on the grip of a firearm or tool depending onthe size of the user's hand, the length of the grip, the type of gripapplication and the other types of gripping surfaces.

[0032] In FIGS. 2 and 3, both rear and front perspective views of thefinger grip enhancer 10 are illustrated. The grip enhancer 10 includes afinger grip body 18 having a top 20, a bottom 22 and a flat back surface24. The flat back surface 24 is generally used for receiving an adhesiveand attaching the grip enhancer to a selected location on the firearm ora grip of a hand tool. However, threaded connectors such as setscrews,pressure-fitted pins and other mechanical connection means, includingfabric hook-and-loop fasteners, can also be used (not shown here). Whenthe grip enhancers are to be installed on metallic magazine-typehandgrips or other metallic surfaces, the grip enhancers can be made offerromagnetic materials which provide sufficient magnetic attraction tohold the grip enhancers in place. The grip enhancer 10 can be made of aflexible or rigid plastic, metal material or the like, preferably havinga high coefficient of friction for an improved gripping surface.Magnetic grip enhancers can be formed of magnetized ferromagnetic metalsor polymeric composites filled with sufficient ferromagnetic particlesto produce the same effect. Many suitable types of polymeric materialsare available, with properties ranging from rigid and brittle toflexible or resilient. Natural materials comprising wood, ivory andmother-of-pearl can also be used. It is convenient for the gripenhancers to be molded or otherwise formed of material which is softenough to be trimmed to the optimum size and shape. Materials can beused which absorb perspiration, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,495,which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] The finger grip body 18 also includes an ergonomic shaped frontfinger surface 26 having a top portion 28 tapered downwardly andoutwardly into a lower knob portion 30. The lower knob portion 30 isdesigned to rest against the bottom of a finger and prevent slippagethereon. The finger or fingers of the user of the finger grip enhancer10 are not shown in the drawings.

[0034] In FIGS. 4 and 5, both front and rear perspective views ofanother finger grip enhancer 10 are illustrated. In this embodiment, thegrip enhancer 10 has a curved (concave) back surface 32 contoured forsecuring the grip enhancer 10 to a curved (convex) portion of thehandgun or hand tool. Obviously, when a rigid material is used for thegrip enhancer, the curved back surface 32 provides for ease in mountingto a curved portion of the trigger guard 12, as shown in FIG. 1, andother curved surfaces on a firearm or hand tool. The backs of the gripenhancers will generally be curved in a concave manner to fit convexportions of the grips or other portions of the tools, but can also bedesigned with convex curved portions to fit into concavely-curvedportions of a tool if necessary.

[0035] The method of installation of one or more grip enhancers on atool or firearm grip will generally encompass trial positioning upon thetool, followed by gluing or attachment by other suitable means when theappropriate positions have been confirmed. For example, the gripenhancers can be installed upon a magazine-handled pistol as illustratedin FIG. 1 using the following steps:

[0036] 1) Decide on how permanent the installation is intended to be.Generally, the stronger the adhesive used, the more likely the surface(especially polished or blued metal surfaces) is to be damaged byremoval of the grip enhancers and adhesive. For example, LocTite(R)Black Max(R) is very permanent, and reports are mixed on whether removalof such adhesive will damage the blueing on firearms. Epoxy cements willgenerally damage most finishes. An adhesive which has been successfullytested for removal without damage to metal finishes such as anodizing isSuperGlue Corp.(R) Future Glue(R), but any adhesive should be tested onan inconspicuous area of the surface before actual use. When installingthe grip enhancers on various polymeric surfaces, most commercial“instant” glues should be effective.

[0037] 2) By trial and error, determine the exact location and feeldesired for each grip enhancer and mark location. Trim the narrow upperportion of the grip enhancer to a suitable length and width ifnecessary.

[0038] 3) Apply adhesive to the grip enhancer(s), position carefully atlocation for installation and press into position until adhesive sets,using clamps, rubber bands or the like if necessary.

[0039] 4) Inspect final installation to ensure that the resulting gripis comfortable and effective, and that none of the installed componentsblock any moving parts of the weapon.

[0040] Installation and testing of the grip enhancers of the presentinvention on various handguns including both “automatics” and revolversand long-barreled guns including rifles and shotguns have revealedvarious advantages. The grip can be custom fitted for an individualuser's hand, providing a firmer grip with less fatigue in use. When usedwith pistols, for example, use of the grip enhancers can make the gunpoint better, recover faster after firing and provide a comfortable gripeven when used for prolonged periods. A non-slip grip is provided forall sorts of weather and atmospheric conditions, whether using one orboth hands. (The non-trigger hand is often used to grasp a handgun, withat least one finger resting on the grip enhancer which is placed on thetrigger guard.) When used on certain automatic pisols, the gripenhancers of the invention can prevent “hammer bite,” i.e. the impact ofthe slide or back of the hammer upon the web of the hand between theindex finger and thumb. This painful effect not only degradesmarksmanship but can lead to irritation and even serious infections ofthe hand. To alleviate this, the grip enhancers of the invention caninstalled with the lower and knob portions of the devices serving as atop knob when positioned under the tang of the pistol below the hammer.In such applications, the knob of the device forces the flesh of theshooter's hand to the side and rearward, thus keeping it out of theimpact area of the slide and/or hammer.

[0041] Prior art literature acknowledges the need to accommodate varioushand sizes in firearm grips. The grip enhancers of the present inventionnot only accommodate different sizes of grips, but allow the owner tooptimize the grip of the firearm or other tool to his particular hand.In preferred embodiments, single “finger swells” can be trimmed tolength to allow, for example, the bottom surface of a firearm triggerguard, to provide an upper snug contact surface with the shooter'smiddle finger by installation of the device below the middle finger andas close as comfortable to the guard. Additional devices can beinstalled to provide similar support to the bottom of the shooter's ringfinger for an optimum grip. If the pistol grip is sufficiently long, athird grip enhancer can be installed below the first two to providesupport to the bottom side of the shooter's little finger.

EXAMPLE

[0042] The invention will be further illustrated by the followingnon-limiting example. One of the grip enhancers were installed on thegrip of a 16 oz. Kel-Tec 9 mm semiautomatic pistol as illustrated inFIG. 1. Normally, when firing a powerful or very small handgun, therecoil forces cause an upward movement of the gun and a rotationaltorque on the hand. Actual test firing of this weapon before and aftermodification according to the invention resulted in substantially fasterrecovery times for second shots with precise sight alignment for themodified version. The shooter also found the modifications improved thenatural pointability of the gun. Firearms trainers agree that the fit orfeel of a pistol in the hand has a substantial impact upon the shooter'sability to perform rapid point shooting, such as firing from the hip. Asubstantial number of firearms experts and trainers have reported thatthe feel and pointability of this modified pistol were notably improvedwhen a single grip enhancer was installed in an “average” user position.They agreed that when the devices were installed to optimize the gripfor a particular shooter's hand, the benefits would be increased.

[0043] From reviewing the above-mentioned drawings and specifications,it is apparent that the finger grip enhancer 10 may have variousgeometric shapes and sizes for mounting on firearms, tool grips and thelike without departing from the spirit and scope of the subjectinvention.

[0044] While the invention has been particularly shown, described andillustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, itshould be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing andother modifications are exemplary only, and that equivalent changes inform and detail may be made therein without departing from the truespirit and scope of the invention as claimed except as precluded by theprior art. The terms and expressions employed are used as terms ofdescription, not of limitation, and there is no intention to exclude anyequivalents of the features shown and described, or portions thereof, byusing these terms and expressions.

The embodiments of the invention for which an exclusive privilege andproperty right is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An ergonomic fingergrip enhancer for mounting on a selected location on a grip or handle tobe grasped with the user's hand, for providing an improved grippingsurface thereon, the grip enhancer comprising: a finger grip body, saidfinger grip body having a top, a bottom and a back surface, the backsurface adapted for attaching the grip enhancer to the selected locationon the grip or handle using attachment means; and an ergonomic shapedfront finger surface in said grip body, the front finger surface havinga top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a lower knobportion, the lower knob portion adapted for receiving a portion of thebottom of a finger and the top of an adjacent finger of the user andpreventing slippage thereon.
 2. The grip enhancer as described in claim1 wherein said finger grip body comprises a flexible or resilientmaterial having a high coefficient of friction for providing an improvedgripping surface thereon.
 3. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1wherein said finger grip body comprises a rigid material having a highcoefficient of friction for providing an improved gripping surfacethereon.
 4. The grip enhancer as described in claim 1 wherein the backsurface is adapted for receiving adhesive thereon and securing the gripenhancer onto the grip or handle.
 5. The grip enhancer as described inclaim 4 wherein the back surface is substantially flat for receiving theadhesive thereon and for securing the grip enhancer onto flat surfaceson said grip or handle.
 6. The grip enhancer as described in claim 4wherein the back surface is curved to provide a concave surface toreceive the adhesive thereon and for securing the grip onto curvedsurfaces on said grip or handle.
 7. The grip enhancer as described inclaim 1 which is adapted to fit onto at least one location on the grip,handle, frame, gripping surface or stock of a firearm.
 8. The gripenhancer as described in claim 1 which is adapted to fit onto at leastone location on the grip or handle of a hand tool.
 9. The grip enhanceras described in claim 1 which is adapted to fit onto at least onelocation on the grip or handle of a power tool.
 10. The grip enhancer asdescribed in claim 1 which is adapted to fit onto at least one locationon the grip or handle of a sporting implement.
 11. The grip enhancer asdescribed in claim 1 which is adapted to fit onto at least one locationon the grip or handle of mobility equipment.
 12. An ergonomic fingergrip enhancer for mounting on a selected location on a grip, handle,frame, gripping surface or stock of a firearm for providing an improvedergonomic gripping surface, the grip enhancer comprising: a finger gripbody, said finger grip body optionally comprising a high coefficient offriction material for providing an improved gripping surface thereon,said grip body having a top, a bottom and a back surface, the backsurface adapted for receiving an adhesive thereon and attaching the gripenhancer to the selected location on said firearm; and an ergonomicshaped front finger surface in said grip body, the front finger surfacehaving a top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a lower knobportion, the lower knob portion adapted for receiving a portion of thebottom of a finger and the top of an adjacent finger of the user andpreventing slippage thereon.
 13. The grip enhancer as described in claim12 wherein said finger grip body comprises a rigid material.
 14. Thegrip enhancer as described in claim 12 wherein said finger grip bodycomprises a flexible or resilient material for conforming to a contourof a curved portion on a grip or handle of said firearm.
 15. The gripenhancer as described in claim 12 wherein the back surface of said gripbody is flat for receiving the adhesive thereon and securing the gripenhancer onto said firearm.
 16. The grip enhancer as described in claim12 wherein the back surface of said grip body is curved concavely forreceiving the adhesive thereon and contoured for securing the gripenhancer onto curved surfaces on said firearm.
 17. An ergonomic fingergrip enhancer kit for mounting grip enhancers on a selected location ona firearm, sporting implement, mobility aid or hand tool for providingan improved gripping surface, said kit comprising: a plurality of fingergrip bodies, said finger grip bodies optionally comprising a highcoefficient of friction material for providing an improved grippingsurface thereon, with each of said grip bodies having a top, a bottomand a back surface, the back surface adapted for receiving an adhesivethereon and attaching the grip enhancer onto the selected locations onthe item to which it is to be attached; and an ergonomic shaped frontfinger surface in each of said grip bodies, the front finger surfacehaving a top portion tapered downwardly and outwardly into a lower knobportion, the lower knob portion adapted for receiving a portion of thebottom of a finger and the top of an adjacent finger of the user andpreventing slippage thereon.
 18. The grip enhancer kit as described inclaim 17 wherein said finger grip bodies comprise a rigid material. 19.The grip enhancer kit as described in claim 17 wherein said finger gripbodies comprise a flexible or resilient material for conforming to acontour of a curved portion on a firearm or grip of a hand tool.
 20. Thegrip enhancer kit as described in claim 17 wherein the back surface ofsaid grip bodies is flat for receiving the adhesive thereon and securingthe grip enhancer onto the firearm or hand tool.
 21. The grip enhancerkit as described in claim 17 wherein the back surface of said gripbodies is curved concavely for receiving the adhesive thereon andcontoured for securing the grip enhancer on curved surfaces on thefirearm or hand tool.